Two new ships announced for Carnival Corporation A memorandum of agreement was signed today (Thursday 19th January 2017) between Carnival Corporation and the Italian shipyard, with contracts expected to follow soon.

Carnival Corporation owns some of the world’s most popular cruise lines including P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and more.

The first of the new ships will be for Holland America Line and will be the third ship to join the cruise line’s Pinnacle Class. Joining flagship ms Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam (expected 2018), she will be 99,500 tonnes and cater for up to 2,660 guests. Expected delivery is set for 2021.

The second new ship announced today is to be delivered in 2022 for Princess Cruises and will join Princess’ Royal Class alongside Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess. The new addition will feature Princess Cruises’ new high tech Ocean Medallion ClassTM, the line’s recently launched wearable technology that offers a more personal onboard experience.

Carnival Corporation CEO, Arnold Donald said of the new ships - "Our goal is to exceed expectations of the 11.5 million guests who sail with us each year”.

With the two new ships, Carnival Corporation now has 19 new ships due in the next five years.

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2017-01-19Holland America Reveal Designers For New ShipHolland America Line has announced the news that they have secured two leading design firms to create the interior spaces of new Pinnacle Class ships.

Following the exciting news that Holland America Line are going to launch a new class of ships in 2016, we can reveal that they have now named the designers that will take charge of the interior designs.

The new ship, whose name is yet to be revealed, is set to debut in February, 2016. Coming in at a staggering 99,000 tons it will be the first of a new class of ships for Holland America Line. It has been exposed that the first in the Pinnacle Class will showcase decors by designer Adam D. Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten.

Adam D. Tihany is looked upon as one of the world’s leading hospitality designers. He has been involved in many renowned designer collaborations and the creation of numerous signature restaurants. Among his restaurant credits include the designing of eateries for well known chefs Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller and the legendary Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque. Tihany has also been involved with the interior designs of some of the world’s most iconic properties, such as Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

Yran and Storbraaten Architects are one the world’s leading cruise ship design and architectural firms. Known for working in a diversity of styles, they have developed a very impressive international client list. They already successfully worked with Holland America Line on ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam, as well as working with Seabourn for the Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest.

The new ship is set to feature exciting new public areas and dining venues, along with a spectacular host of interior observations. It is also rumoured that several new concepts are under development that are not yet on any other Holland America Line ship. Richard Meadows, executive Vice President of marketing, sales and guest programs for HAL stated “We are fortunate to bring together such distinguished professionals for our next-generation ship. The ambience of a ship is an essential part of the cruise experience and we are confident that Adam, Bjorn and their teams of experienced designers and architects will strike the right balance between contemporary and traditional that is the hallmark of the interiors of Holland America Line ships.”

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2013-05-10Holland America Line Launch Grand VoyagesLuxury cruise line, Holland America Line, have announced plans for two of their ships to sail on Grand Voyages in 2013. The line's flagship, ms Amsterdam and the popular ms Prinsendam will both offer two cruises, taking in over 120 ports of call in 65 countries, over 322 cruising days.

Holland America's ms Amsterdam is set to sail on a 115 day Grand World Voyage in January with a 75 day Grand Pacific and Far East tour in autumn. Prinsendam will depart on its first Grand Voyage in January, with a 68 day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage, which will be followed immediately by a 64 day Grand Mediterranean Voyage.

Richard Meadows, Executive Vice President for Holland America Line, said: "We’ve designed Holland America Line's 2013 Grand Voyages itineraries to feature some of the most sought-after sights and experiences in the world. Even the most experienced traveller will be inspired and impressed by our carefully crafted selection of port calls, maiden visits and extended stays."

All four Grand Voyages are available to book now, so if luxury American-style cruising and a Grand Voyage are up your street, you'll want to get in quick before all of the best deals and cabins go.

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2011-11-08First cruise ship finds its way to NewportHolland America line brought a ship to the area.

Around 800 passengers were on board the ms Prisendam vessel, which is on a cruise around Britain, when it sailed into Newport Docks, the latest in a host of luxury cruise liners heading to Wales.

As part of the 14-day cruise experience, passengers will also get to take in sights in Greenwich, Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Skye.

Matthew Kennerley, port director at operator Associated British Ports, told the BBC: "While cruise ships are no strangers to some of our other Welsh ports, such as Cardiff and Swansea, we are very pleased that Newport is handling a cruise ship for the first time.

"I hope that all of Prinsendam's passengers enjoy their visit to the region."

As well as allowing holidaymakers to travel on cruise breaks around Europe, Holland America also sails ship to destinations including Alaska, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

The cruise line has just revealed an itinerary for a 32-night tour onboard its ms Amsterdam liner, which is set to take off from Los Angeles and conclude in Sydney, docking at places like French Polynesia, Fiji, Port Vila and Vanuatu along the way.

A spokesperson for the cruise line commented: "Holland America Line's ms Amsterdam will be your 'home away from home', catering to your every need thanks to a solid history in worldwide cruising."

The ship itself will accommodate nearly 1,400 passengers and boasts a high crew to guest ratio, which Holland America attributes to its "excellent" service.

UK passengers will have to make their way to California from where the cruise is set to embark.

However, the Passenger Shipping Association has criticised such arrangements, saying it is "a lot of hassle" to not set sail from the UK.

Written by Lyndsey Telford

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2009-06-22Holland America flagship liner to call at LiverpoolMS Rotterdam, the flagship cruise liner of Holland America Line's fleet, is to arrive in Liverpool next week.

The vessel will dock at the city's cruise liner terminal on Tuesday May 26th, making it the first transatlantic liner to call at Liverpool for more then 40 years.

Having left New York, the ship is due to make a stop in Belfast before docking in Liverpool and its arrival has been heralded by Gary Millar, Liverpool City Council's Executive Member for Enterprise and Tourism.

"This is another significant landmark for the cruise liner terminal," he stated, adding that the arrival of the 600,000-tonne ship will signify the "start of a whole new chapter in the city's transatlantic link".

Earlier this year, Holland America Line announced the launch of its Showroom at Sea entertainment programme, which features a number of Broadway performers.

The company's Richard Meadows described the showroom as a "fresh approach to entertainment".

By Tom Musk

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2009-05-22HAL and Princess to cut Vancouver sailings in 2010Holland America Line (HAL) and Princess Cruises have announced they intend to reduce their sailings from Vancouver next year.

The move comes soon after Carnival Cruises said it would cut the number of services offered from the Canadian port, reports CBC.ca.

It is expected that the cancelled sailings will be redirected to Seattle.

Peter Xotta, of the Port of Metro Vancouver, said that switching to the US city would be cheaper for American travellers.

"The economic conditions are forcing them to make some drastic decisions around where to deploy their vessels ... and how they can keep them full of passengers that are going on holiday," he commented.

HAL and Princess both operate cruises to worldwide destinations including Alaska, Asia and South America.

Recently, HAL launched new electronic cruise documents that aims to be both environmentally-friendly and more convenient for passengers.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

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2009-04-02Holland America Line to introduce 'innovative' Showroom at SeaHolland America Line is to introduce what it hopes will be a pioneering concept in onboard cruise entertainment.

From May, passengers will be able to enjoy the cruise line's first Showroom at Sea, which will present a contemporary take on the classic nightclub, featuring a top music repertory company consisting of seasoned Broadway performers.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said the cruise line always endeavours to bring cutting edge entertainment to its guests.

"Guests will be wowed by this fresh approach to entertainment and the complete transformation of the showroom," he commented.

Each night, passengers will be able to enjoy performances from classical vocalists backed by a 14-piece orchestra, a resident comedian or pop and rock musicians.

Earlier this month, Holland America Line launched a new cookbook, A Taste of Elegance, written by the cruise line's top chef, Rudi Sodamin.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

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2009-03-18Holland America Line to launch 'eco-friendly' documentationHolland America Line has launched a new documentation procedure for customers travelling on any of its cruises setting sail from May 9th, it has been announced.

It is hoped the Express Docs will provide a more convenient and environmentally friendly way for passengers to acquire travel details.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of the cruise line, said the documents would contain all the information guests require.

"Guests who still prefer paper documents can request full cruise documentation and tickets to be mailed," he commented.

The documents will include cruise and flight information, boarding passes, transfer vouchers and important notices.

Holland America Line, which was recently named the best-value cruise line by the Ocean and Cruise Liner Society, has also launched an innovative community charity scheme which will see many of the line's reusable goods being donated to good causes.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

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2009-03-09HAL launches electronic cruise documentsHolland America Line (HAL) passengers can do their bit for the environment with new "green" cruise documents.

For all cruises departing after May 9th 2009, the cruise line will provide passengers with electronic documents, helping to save on waste.

As part of its Express Docs programme, passengers will be provided with clear and easily accessible cruise details, as well as transfer vouchers and shore excursion reservation information.

Richard D Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes, said: "Express Docs provide all the same information our guests expect and will also help them finalise vacation plans much quicker and they provide greater flexibility in providing copies for family and friends."

However, those who would rather receive paper versions of their documents can still be accommodated, he added.

In other news, HAL recently announced plans to expand its Panama Canal cruise programme for this year.